U.S. patent number 5,518,787 [Application Number 07/851,319] was granted by the patent office on 1996-05-21 for construction for a laminated card or label.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Standard Register Company. Invention is credited to Patrick A. Konkol.
United States Patent |
5,518,787 |
Konkol |
May 21, 1996 |
Construction for a laminated card or label
Abstract
A construction for a laminated card or label is provided
including a transparent film having a pressure sensitive adhesive
on one surface thereof and liner stock having first and second
major surfaces. The first surface has a release coating adhered to
the pressure sensitive adhesive on the film. Variable information
may be printed on the second surface of the liner stock within the
die cut area, and the die cut card removed from the transparent
film and replaced printed side down onto the adhesive surface of
the film, thereby laminating the card to the film. The card is then
peeled away from remainder of the construction at the die cut
around the film and folded with the indicia facing outward to
laminate the sides the card together. The printed surfaces of the
card are direct contact with the adhesive, thus preventing
tampering of the card.
Inventors: |
Konkol; Patrick A. (Cincinnati,
OH) |
Assignee: |
The Standard Register Company
(Dayton, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
25310495 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/851,319 |
Filed: |
March 16, 1992 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/43;
428/195.1; 428/202; 428/354; 428/40.1; 428/914; 428/916 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
3/02 (20130101); G09F 2003/0201 (20130101); G09F
2003/0267 (20130101); Y10T 428/14 (20150115); Y10T
428/2486 (20150115); Y10T 428/2848 (20150115); Y10T
428/24802 (20150115); Y10T 428/15 (20150115); Y10S
428/914 (20130101); Y10S 428/916 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
3/02 (20060101); B65D 065/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/250,257,268,247,243,244.16,248
;428/40,41,42,43,202,352,354,914,916,195 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ryan; Patrick J.
Assistant Examiner: Dixon; Merrick
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Killworth, Gottman, Hagan &
Schaeff
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A construction for producing a laminated card or label carrying
printed indicia on both the front and back sides thereof
comprising:
a transparent film having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one
surface thereof, said film being die cut in the form of a card or
label; and
liner stock having first and second major surfaces, said first
surface including a release coating and being adhered to said
pressure sensitive adhesive on said surface of said transparent
film, said second surface adapted to receive printed indicia, said
liner stock being die cut in the form of a card or label.
2. The construction of claim 1 wherein the front and back sides of
said card or label are positioned adjacent each other.
3. The construction of claim 1 wherein said transparent film
comprises polyester.
4. The construction of claim 1 wherein said pressure sensitive
adhesive comprises a permanent acrylic adhesive.
5. The construction of claim 1 wherein said liner stock comprises a
silicone-coated machine finished liner.
6. The construction of claim 1 wherein said front and back sides of
said card or label are separated by a score or perforation
line.
7. The construction of claim 1 wherein the die cut area of said
transparent film extends beyond the die cut area of said liner
stock.
8. A construction for producing a laminated card or label
comprising:
a transparent film having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one
surface thereof, said film being die cut in the form of a card or
label; and
liner stock having first and second major surfaces, said first
surface including a release coating and being adhered to said
pressure sensitive adhesive on said surface of said transparent
film, said second surface carrying printed indicia, said liner
stock being die cut in the form of a card or label which is adapted
to be folded such that said printed indicia is facing outward,
wherein said card or label is adapted to be laminated with said
transparent film such that said printed indicia is in direct
contact with said pressure sensitive adhesive on said transparent
film, and wherein attempted alteration of said card results in
damage to said printed indicia.
9. A construction for producing a laminated card or label carrying
printed indicia on both the front and back sides thereof
comprising:
a transparent film having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one
surface thereof, said film being die cut in the form of a card or
label; and
liner stock die cut in the form of a card or label and having first
and second major surfaces, said first surface including a release
coating and being adhered to said pressure sensitive adhesive on
said surface of said transparent film, said second surface carrying
nonvariable or variable printed indicia within the area bounded by
said die cut.
10. A continuous form for producing a series of laminated cards or
labels comprising a composite web including a transparent film
having a pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface thereof, said
film being die cut into a series of cards or labels; and
liner stock having first and second major surfaces, said first
surface including a release coating and being adhered to said
pressure sensitive adhesive on said surface of said transparent
film, said second surface adapted to receive printed indicia, said
liner stock being die cut into a series of corresponding cards or
labels.
11. The continuous form of claim 10 including a series of
perforations across said composite ply web forming individual label
constructions.
12. A construction for producing a laminated card or label
comprising a cut sheet including a transparent film having a
pressure sensitive adhesive on one surface thereof, said film being
die cut in the form of a card or label; and
liner stock having first and second major surfaces, said first
surface including a release coating and being adhered to said
pressure sensitive adhesive on said surface of said transparent
film, said second surface adapted to receive printed indicia, said
liner stock being die cut in the form of a card or label.
13. The construction of claim 8 wherein said liner stock includes a
score or perforation line along which said liner stock is adapted
to be folded.
14. The construction of claim 8 wherein the die cut area of said
transparent film extends beyond the die cut area of said liner
stock.
15. The construction of claim 9 wherein said liner stock includes a
score or perforation line along which said liner stock is adapted
to be folded to provide said front and back sides carrying said
printed indicia.
16. The construction of claim 9 wherein the die cut area of said
transparent film extends beyond the die cut area of said liner
stock.
17. The continuous form of claim 10 wherein each of said series of
corresponding cards or labels formed from said liner stock includes
a score or perforation line along which said card or label is
adapted to be folded.
18. The continuous form of claim 10 wherein the die cut areas of
individual cards or labels of said transparent film extend beyond
the die cut areas of corresponding cards or labels formed from said
liner stock.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a construction for producing a laminated
card or label, and more particularly to a construction which allows
information to be printed by a variety of printing devices on both
the front and back sides of the card or label, and provides
laminated protection to both sides of the card or label.
Lamination is a well known process for preserving indicia bearing
materials such as identification cards, labels, and the like. In
the manufacture of such devices, the labels or cards are typically
affixed to forms and information is typed or printed onto them. The
card or label to be laminated is then separated from the form and
placed between two transparent plastic layers which are then
secured together around the periphery of the card either by heat
sealing or by an adhesive.
However, problems may be encountered in typing or printing data on
the cards because of the additional thickness which they present
affixed to the form. If the cards are printed on an automated
printing device, feeding problems may also occur due to the
thickness of the cards or the uneven caliper of the form.
Another limitation of lamination processes is that the construction
of the card or label does not permit a printing device to
simultaneously print both sides of the card; consequently, the card
must be printed on one side, turned over, and then printed on the
other side. Furthermore, the lamination of the cards requires a
separate step using transparent plastic film from another source,
resulting in a time consuming and expensive process.
In addition, depending upon the method of lamination used, the
plastic covering may be easily removed from the card, subjecting
the card to tampering. For example, if only a peripheral adhesive
is used to laminate the two transparent plastic film layers, it may
be possible to remove the card without evidencing any
tampering.
Several attempts have been made to produce an improved construction
for labels or identification cards. Biddle, U.S. Pat. No.
3,068,140, teaches an identification card construction in which the
front and back sides of a card are positioned side by side on a
base sheet such that variable information may be printed or typed
on the card. The base sheet containing the card is then cut,
folded, and covered with individual sheets of transparent plastic
material which are fused together under heat and pressure to
laminate the card. However, this construction requires a separate
lamination step.
Schmidt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,868, teaches a method for making an
identification card in which a transparent web having a pressure
sensitive adhesive on its underside is adhered to a form having a
ply of base stock on one half and a release liner on the other
half. The half containing the base stock is printed with indicia
such that when the liner is removed, the pressure sensitive
adhesive is exposed and the card folded over to produce a laminated
card. However, Schmidt requires separate printing steps for
printing the front and back sides of the card.
Sfikas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,241, teaches a laminating envelope for
an identification card in which a thermoplastic sheet comprising
three panels is arranged so that a pocket is formed for holding the
card and a release strip secured to the outer portion of the third
panel is removed to expose adhesive for securing the first panel to
the third panel upon folding. However, the card is designed so that
it may be removed from the pocket without damage, which would
render it subject to tampering.
Consequently, while these card or label constructions may be
useful, they are disadvantageous in that they require separate
printing or lamination steps, or do not offer any means of
protection against tampering for the laminated card. Accordingly,
the need still exists in the art for an improved construction for
producing a laminated card or label which eliminates the need for
separate printing and laminating steps, and prevents tampering of
the card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets that need by providing a construction
for a laminated card or label which allows information to be
printed on both sides of the card or label in a single pass and
allows the card or label to be laminated on both sides for
protection using a transparent film which forms a part of the card
or label construction.
The construction preferably comprises a transparent film which is
die cut in the form of a card or label and has a pressure sensitive
adhesive on one of its surfaces. Preferably, the transparent film
comprises polyester and the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises a
permanent acrylic adhesive. The construction also comprises liner
stock having first and second major surfaces. Preferably, the liner
stock comprises a silicone-coated machine finish liner. The first
surface of the liner stock includes a release coating and is
adhered to the pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface of the
transparent film. The second surface of the liner stock is adapted
to receive printed indicia. Preferably, the liner stock is die cut
in the form of a card or label such that the front and back sides
of the card or label are positioned adjacent each other in a
side-by-side relationship.
Preferably, the front and back sides of the card or label are
separated by a score or perforation line to assist in folding the
card. In addition, the die cut area of the transparent film
preferably extends beyond the die cut area of the liner stock so
that when the card is laminated, the adhesive permanently seals the
periphery of the card.
The present invention also provides a method for making a laminated
card or label which first comprises the step of providing a
construction of the transparent film which is die cut in the form
of a card or label and has a pressure sensitive adhesive on one
surface thereof, and liner stock which is die cut in the form of a
card or label having first and second major surfaces where the
first surface includes a release coating and is adhered to the
pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface of the transparent film.
Indicia is then printed onto the second surface of the liner stock
within the area bounded by the die cut. Printing may occur in two
stages, with non-variable information being preprinted onto the
liner stock and variable information printed, typed, or
hand-written onto the liner stock shortly before lamination. The
die cut portion of the liner stock which forms the card or label is
then removed from the transparent film and replaced printed side
down onto the adhesive surface of the transparent film, thus
laminating the surface of the card or label to the film.
The construction is then turned over, and the laminated card or
label is peeled away from the remainder of the construction at the
die cut around the transparent film, and is folded with the printed
indicia facing outward so that the sides of the card or label are
laminated together. Preferably, the die cut area of the transparent
film is greater than the die cut area of the card or label so that
the folding step laminates the adhesive edges of the film to each
other. Where the liner stock includes a score or perforation line,
the folding step also includes folding along the score or
perforation line.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the card may be
folded after it is first removed from the construction and replaced
onto only half of the die cut area containing the pressure
sensitive adhesive. When the construction is turned over and the
transparent film is removed, the card is then pulled away with the
film and the film folded over to complete the lamination.
This, and other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description, the
accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a construction for producing a
laminated card or label in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the construction shown along line
2--2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the card after printing has
occurred and after removal from the transparent film;
FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of the card being turned over
and replaced face down onto the pressure sensitive adhesive side of
the transparent film;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the card being peeled back
along with the die cut portion of the transparent film;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the folding of the film
and card;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the completed laminated card;
and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the laminated card of FIG.
8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The construction of the present invention for a laminated card or
label is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a transparent
film 10 which is die cut in the form of a card and has a pressure
sensitive adhesive 16 on one of its surfaces. The transparent film
preferaby comprises polyester, but may also comprise (polystyrene,
polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellophane, or any other suitable
transparent or translucent material). The pressure sensitive
adhesive preferably comprises a permanent acrylic adhesive, but may
comprise any transparent or translucent pressure sensitive
adhesive. The construction also includes liner stock 12 which is
comprised of a silicone-coated machine finish liner having first
and second major surfaces. The first surface 14 of the liner stock
includes a silicone-based release coating which is adhered to the
pressure sensitive adhesive 16 on the surface of the transparent
film. The second surface 18 of the liner stock is adapted to
receive printed indicia and is die cut in the form of a card as
shown in die cut area 24 such that the front and back sides of the
card are positioned adjacent each other in a side-by-side
relationship. The front and back sides of the card may be separated
by a score or perforation line 20 to assist in folding the
card.
The cross section of the construction illustrated in FIG. 2 shows
die cut area 22 of the transparent film extending beyond the die
cut area 24 of the liner stock. This construction is preferred so
that when the card is laminated, the adhesive 16 seals the
periphery of the card.
The laminated card construction may be produced as a continuous web
product or as a cut sheet or roll product. Nonvariable indicia may
be preprinted onto the liner stock in a single pass through a
conventional label press. For example, the card may be designed to
be an identification card for a group health insurance plan The
nonvariable legends such as "Name" "Address" "Group No" and "Policy
No" may be preprinted onto the liner stock. Machine readable
information such as bar codes may also be printed on the liner
stock. Multiple print colors may also be utilized.
After preprinted information is added to the web, the web is
advanced through two die cut stations. At the first station, the
web is die cut through the liner stock, but not through the
transparent film. At the second station, cuts are made through the
transparent film which are parallel to the liner stock cuts,
circumscribing the liner stock cuts at such a distance from the
liner stock cuts so that a sealing edge is provided when the card
is eventually folded over by the user. The transparent film is
preferably cut so that it is about 1/16 to 1/4 inch larger on all
sides than the liner stock. Thus, a continuous web is produced
having a series of repeating two-ply cards spaced equally apart
from each other on the web. If desired, additional die cuts may be
made in the transparent film so that a continuous selvage of the
two-ply material may be removed from the web.
After the web has been die cut, it may be advanced to a perforating
station and a folding station, or alternatively, to a sheeting
station. The continuous web product is then ready for shipment to a
customer where variable information may be added by the end user.
Because of the uniform thickness of the construction, it may be
printed with variable information by a number of different
automated printing devices including impact printers, laser
printers, or thermal transfer printers. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
variable indicia may be printed onto the second surface 18 of the
liner stock within the area 24 bounded by the die cut.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, once indicia have been printed
onto surface 18, and the card is sent to the individual recipient,
the die cut portion 24 of the liner stock 12 which forms the card
is then removed by the recipient from the transparent film (by
peeling away the release-coated surface) and replaced printed side
down onto the adhesive surface 16 of the transparent film as
illustrated in FIG. 5, laminating the card to the film. The cut out
edges of the remaining liner stock act as a template to guide
proper repositioning of the card.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the construction is then turned
over so that the transparent film 10 is facing upward, and the
laminated card is then peeled away from the remainder of the
construction at the die cut around the film, and is folded with the
indicia facing outward so that the sides of the card are laminated
together.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the card may be
folded when it is first removed from the construction and replaced
onto only half of the die cut area containing pressure sensitive
adhesive 16. When the construction is turned over and the
transparent film is removed, the card is then pulled away with the
film and the film is folded over to complete the lamination.
The completed laminated card is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in
FIG. 9, the die cut portion 24 of the liner stock which formed the
card is folded and protected by the die cut portion 22 of the
transparent film and sealed with adhesive 16. Because the major
surfaces of the card are in direct contact with the adhesive, any
attempt at tampering will result in damage to the printed indicia
on the card. Additionally, the transparent film protects the card
and provides resistance to wear, smearing and moisture.
Thus, the present invention provides a construction for the
lamination of identification cards, labels, or the like which
eliminates the need for separate printing and laminating steps, and
which prevents tampering.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been
shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the
methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *